Where are John and Kara?: Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain

NY goal- run the 10km

On the first of January this year, that awkward time when you set those silly New Year's resolutions, we signed up for a 10km race in the 2015 Maratón de Madrid. A local event, and largest running race in Spain, was held on the third Sunday morning of April.
With ample months to prepare we dawdled and well, quite bluntly didn't put much effort into training. When race day rolled around, we were tired, it was cold and raining and we just couldn't get out of bed. We felt bad about it, but it was just so warm under the duvet. At forty minutes until start time the guilt was too overwhelming and begrudgingly we wiggled into our gear and caught a crowded metro into the city.

The race was horrible, we learnt all about the runners trots and felt pain like we had never felt before. We finished, took our medal and swore we would never do it again.

So here we are in September, twelve days ago, Kara bursting with enthusiasm signed 'Team Ross' up for another 10km race in Zaragoza, Aragon. Mapping out a training plan she set off on a nine day endeavour to be race ready. (Kids, don't try this at home). Saturday soon arrived and feeling just a little apprehensive we left home, walking slowly in an effort not to 'overdo it' for the bus station.

Race dorsals

Zaragoza is four hours on the bus North East of Madrid and through a changing landscape our bus plundered over dry desert and then rocky mountains and eventually green rolling hills.

Capital of the Aragon Provence, Zaragoza is a small flat city along the Ebro river. First settled by ancient Iberian tribes and then later somewhere between 25BC and 12BC, Roman emperor Augustus founded a city, which he named Ceasaraugustus. The city thrived but in the late fifth century was peacefully taken over by the Goths.
In 714 invading Cordoban Moors took control of the city and renamed it Saraquesta. It grew to become the largest Muslim controlled city in Northern Spain. From 1018 it sought its independence which wasn't granted until 1118 when it was conquered by the Aragonese and became the Kingdom of Aragon (now the Provence of Aragon).

Watching out for the black toro

Race check-in

Huevos Fritos for dinner

We arrived late Saturday afternoon and made our way to the race check-in, where you gather your running number, t-shirt and bag of goodies. In Madrid, our bag contained fruit, gels, drinks and muesli bars but here we got 1 litre of chicken stock, a bag of soft jubes, a pen and bombom. (Later we also got a six pack of donuts) nothing really oozed fit and healthy. We had missed the pasta party so went on our own carb loading potato-munching journey!

Being tight on funds, we had booked the cheapest pension available in the old city. This meant a noisy ground floor room and tiny 1.2 meter wide double bed. But, early on Sunday we were only a short 15minute walk to the start line, so it was a great deal.
We followed all the precautions this weekend. Almost. We woke earlier and ate some tuna, giving our stomachs a chance to process and relax.

Audiencia Provincial Building

Statue of Cesearagustas

We even had time to stop for a coffee and snap some morning photos down the road as we made our way to the starting point. It was a cold morning and around the start people were already jogging and warming up, and to us it looked like they were 'expending their precious energy'.

End of the race!

We lined up then, bang, at 9.15am we were off! Jog jog jog, jog, jog, jog.

Fast forward an hour and the race was over! John had camped in struggle town for the distance, but pushed forward because of his manly pride. Kara sprinting the final kilometre was pumped and had maintained a steady pace through most of the course. With huge disparities in enjoyment, attitude and physical pain one of us hobbled back to the pension walking out cramping calves and thighs the other one of skipping while discussing the amazing morning sunrise seen from one of the bridges. Guess those nine days of training paid off after all!

Overall though, Team Ross had both clocked in under an hour and had set new personal bests. But with limited time in the city we also wanted to see as much as we could. So a quick hot shower and we were off again, stretching out the aching legs with a morning tour of Zaragoza's Aljaferia Castle, conveniently based within the city center.

Aljaferia Castle

John admiring the painted ceilings

One of the most important muslim buildings in Northern Spain, it has a striking similarity to the Alhambra Palace in Granada.

Built as a pleasure palace for Zaragoza's Islamic rulers in the 11th century.

Arriving at the entrance the Castle looks exactly like how a castle should look. A huge moat circles the strong grey stone walls. We walked over the bridge towards the Patio de Santa Isabel, the central courtyard.

Inner court yard

Walking through the arched doors

Around the courtyard orange trees were carefully planted and best described by the guidebook "here you're confronted by the delicate interwoven arches typical of the geometric mastery of Islamic architecture".

Islamic arches

Coming down the stairs

Arches in the Inner court yard

Following through the horseshoe-arched doorway we moved into the second story and into the Palacio Mudéjar from there into the magnificent Salon del trono (Throne Room). By far the best part were the amazing lavish ceilings and ancient Islamic doorways.

Next with our bags in tow, we walked to the Basilica of our Lady of the Pillar. The huge Roman-Catholic Cathedral sits on the banks of the Ebro river and was were our race started and finished, as we arrived many of the marathon runners were cooling down, looking absolutely pooped.

Zaragoza central market

Entrance to the Bull-ring

Fuente de la Hispanidad

Kara to the left of the Cathedral

Basilica of our Lady of the Pillar

Inside the Cathedral

The Baroque style Cathedral is really quite stunning. According to ancient local tradition, Saint James was preaching Christian gospel in Spain and while deep in prayer, Mary, the virgin mother visited and instructed him to build a church in her honor.

The church became the first church in history dedicated to Mary and annual the city celebrates her apparition. We had a quick peak inside trying not to disturb the service that was finishing up before we took a short walk over the Puente de Piedra or bridge of lions which was built between 1401-1440AD.

View from Puente de Piedra

Our shrivelling stomachs thought this would be an opportune time to whine and carry on. So we crossed back over the river and stopped for a tapa or two, or three. Directly north of the historic centre is the old El Tubo district, dating back to 1825. In Spanish, tubo is a long glass that beverages are sometimes served in. With the thousands having finished the marathon mere minutes down the road the neighbourhood was pumping. The small alleys were busy and small flags hanging from buildings gave a real party vibe.